Diplomats seek elusive path toward easing Syrian conflict

Kerry says 19 nations hope to end 'nonstop horror' of warfare

An injured Syrian boy awaits treatment Thursday at a makeshift hospital after reported airstrikes by government forces in the rebel-held area of Douma.﻿

Photo: ABD DOUMANY, Stringer

VIENNA - Secretary of State John Kerry arrived Thursday in the Austrian capital, the scene of his last diplomatic success, spearheading an effort to end what he has called the "nonstop horror" of the Syrian civil war.

The hastily convened meeting of diplomats from at least 19 countries is propelled by growing alarm that the Syrian conflict is rapidly spiraling out of control and threatens regional and global security.

Kerry was cautious when asked what he expected the talks, set to open Friday, to achieve.

"I'll tell you when we've accomplished it," he said before meeting with Austria's foreign minister, then promptly added, "If. If."

On Thursday, Kerry held preliminary meetings with participants in the talks. In a sign of how the Syrian conflict - which is in its fifth year - has upended traditional politics, one of his first sit-downs was with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Iran has provided military and financial backing to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, but this is the first time it has been invited to join international talks on resolving the conflict. It also marks the first time that the United States and Iran are working together since striking a landmark nuclear deal in July in Vienna and underscores that no solution to the conflict is possible without Iran's involvement.

Kerry spoke with Zarif about implementing the nuclear agreement and raised the issue of U.S. citizens detained or missing in Iran, said State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner.

The nations coming together Friday in Vienna have divergent views of the role Assad should play in his country's future.

The United States, Turkey, Saudi Arabia - as well as other Persian Gulf nations - insist that any transition period must end with Assad relinquishing power. Iran and Russia, his biggest backers, have said that they are not wedded to the idea of Assad remaining in place indefinitely. But they also maintain that without Assad, Syria would collapse into unacceptable chaos.

On Thursday night, Kerry met with diplomats from Russia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

State Department officials have said that they do not expect countries with such disparate viewpoints to agree on a solution anytime soon, but noted the urgency of advancing dialogue on ways to pull Syria out of a deep dive.

"The challenge that we face in Syria today is nothing less than to chart a course out of hell," Kerry said in a speech Wednesday before departing for Vienna.

The diplomatic push for a resolution in Syria is driven by several factors, including Russia's role and a migrant crisis that is overwhelming Europe.